Director of Housing Outreach Programs

Hazleton Office Manager

Dave Ritter, director of housing outreach programs for the Commission on Economic Opportunity, said with the lack of funding, the agency is unable to meet the demands of a growing number of residents facing eviction or foreclosure.

"Because of the non-passage of the budget, we see families every day that will not be assisted with their housing relating concerns," he said.
"It's quite difficult."

Although summer hasn't officially ended, he said families are already coming into their office seeking heating assistance in preparation for winter.

Dave Ritter, director of housing for the Commission on Economic Opportunity in Wilkes-Barre, said CEO has seen a continual increase in requests for housing assistance over the last several years.

"We see a lot of families competing for a limited number of safe, affordable units.
A lot of times, housing authorities will have long waiting lists.
We have hundreds of families looking for housing," Ritter said.

CEO refers clients to apply at housing authorities and privately owned subsidized housing developments, as well as to the few transitional housing agencies, Ritter said.

The increase in foreclosure filings is also being felt at the Commission on Economic Opportunity, which tries to link property owners who are in danger of losing their homes with government assistance programs, said Dave Ritter, the agency's housing director.
In the past, the agency typically assisted 20 to 25 people with mortgage-related issues per month.
"Now we're seeing 30 to 40 per month.
We're seeing an increase," Ritter said.
The economy is the "obvious" key driver, Ritter said.

The increase in foreclosure filings is also being felt at the Commission on Economic Opportunity, which tries to link property owners who are in danger of losing their homes with government assistance programs, said Dave Ritter, the agency's housing director.

In the past, the agency typically assisted 20 to 25 people with mortgage-related issues per month.

More property owners also seem to be living paycheck to paycheck, making it more difficult to keep up with mortgages when families are hit with unemployment, costly medical emergencies or changes in family status, such as divorce, Ritter said.

"It seems to be more difficult for some to bounce back," Ritter said.

He advises property owners to contact the agency (826-0510) when they start getting behind, rather than waiting until their properties are listed for sale.

Eligibility for government assistance is generally based on a property owner's debt-income ratio, past borrowing history and explanation for falling behind on a mortgage, he said.

"The earlier we hear about it, the most likely we can come up with some remedy, if possible," Ritter said.